U.S. patent number 5,329,787 [Application Number 08/009,289] was granted by the patent office on 1994-07-19 for combination food and beverage cooler.
Invention is credited to Mark G. Friday.
United States Patent |
5,329,787 |
Friday |
July 19, 1994 |
Combination food and beverage cooler
Abstract
The invention relates to a combination food and beverage cooler.
The cooler includes a bottom wall, a plurality of attached side
walls, and a top opening defined by the side walls. The bottom wall
and side walls substantially enclose a compartment area formed
therein. A beverage compartment is positioned in the compartment
area and adjacent the bottom wall for storing an otherwise
non-contained beverage. The beverage compartment is relatively flat
and extends over a relatively large surface area of the compartment
area in relation to its volume. A food compartment in the
compartment area stores items such as canned goods, canned drinks
and other solid food items. A cooler pack in the compartment area
is positioned between the food compartment and the beverage
compartment for cooling the food compartment and the beverage
compartment. The cooler pack extends over a relatively large
surface area of the beverage compartment and the food
compartment.
Inventors: |
Friday; Mark G. (Dallas,
NC) |
Family
ID: |
21736739 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/009,289 |
Filed: |
January 26, 1993 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/389; 62/372;
62/457.1; 62/457.7; 62/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D
3/08 (20130101); F25D 2303/082 (20130101); F25D
2303/0845 (20130101); F25D 2331/804 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F25D
3/00 (20060101); F25D 3/08 (20060101); B67D
005/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;62/457.5,457.5,457.7,389,371,372,529,530 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sollecito; John M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Adams, III; W. Thad
Claims
I claim:
1. A combination food and beverage cooler, comprising:
(a) a rigid bottom wall, a plurality of attached side walls, a top
opening defined by said side walls, and a solid, rigid partition
wall fixedly secured within said cooler parallel to and in
spaced-apart relation to said bottom wall, and in sealing
engagement with said side walls, said partition wall defining a
food compartment on one side thereof and an enclosed beverage
compartment on an obverse side thereof;
(b) said partition wall having a recess formed therein;
(c) a tray insert removably positioned in said food compartment and
supported by said partition wall;
(d) said tray insert having an inverted recess formed therein in
mating alignment with the recess in the partition wall to
collectively define a cooling compartment, said cooling compartment
extending upwardly into the food compartment and downwardly into
the beverage compartment; and
(e) a reusable cooler pack for being positioned in said cooling
compartment.
2. A combination food and beverage cooler according to claim 1,
wherein said beverage compartment includes dispenser means formed
in and extending through at least one of said plurality of side
walls for dispensing a beverage contained in said beverage
compartment.
3. A combination food and beverage cooler according to claim 2,
wherein said beverage compartment includes drain/fill means formed
in and extending through at least one of said plurality of side
walls for draining or filling the beverage compartment.
4. A combination food and beverage cooler according to claim 3,
wherein said dispenser means is positioned in and extends through
said drail/fill means, said drain/fill means including an internal
screw thread therein for receiving said dispenser means, and said
dispenser means having a threaded portion thereon for being screwed
into said drain/fill means.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a combination food and beverage cooler
with divided food and beverage compartment areas. The respective
compartment areas are designed for separately containing a liquid
beverage which can be dispensed directly from the compartment into
a glass or cup, and items such as fruit, canned goods, canned
drinks, and the like in a single portable cooler unit. The
compartment areas are divided by a partition wall which has a
recessed dish for housing a refreezable and detachable ice pack or
"cooler pack." A tray insert is placed above the partition wall and
over the cooler pack for holding the cooler pack relatively stable,
and for separating the cooler pack from the items stored in the
food compartment. The beverage compartment is defined by the area
directly beneath the partition wall, and includes a drain/fill plug
and dispenser tap.
Prior art coolers such as that disclosed by the Dungan Patent, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,395,550, are inadequate for separately containing both
food items and a non-contained beverage. The Dungan cooler has
separate compartment areas located on either side of the cooler, as
opposed to the top and bottom. Ice is placed in the side
compartment area adjacent to the side beverage compartment, and
within the same compartment as the food storage area. As is
evident, this design presents a stability problem when the cooler
is lifted and moved, since the weight distribution is extremely
uneven. Additionally, a cooler of this type is not practical
because of the limited food storage space above the ice needed to
cool the beverage compartment.
Other conventional coolers, such as that manufactured by Coleman or
Igloo, have commonly been used for containing only an otherwise
non-contained beverage such as punch, cool-aid, etc. However,
several problems exist in the use of these type coolers for this
purpose. Ice used to chill the beverage usually melts over a
relatively short period of time, and consequently acts to dilute
and otherwise lessen the flavor of the beverage. Additionally,
there are obvious problems of filling and dispensing the beverage
from the cooler. Generally, one has to turn the entire cooler on
its side in order to fill his/her cup. The cooler of the present
invention provides an easy manner of filling and draining the
beverage compartment area, and a tap dispenser for easily
dispensing the beverage into a cup.
When a conventional cooler is packed with ice, canned drinks, and
food, the food can become damp or soggy because of melted ice and
improper food wrapping. A cooler according to the present invention
eliminates this problem by providing a storage space for a
self-contained, removable cooler pack. The cooler pack chills the
cooler and remains in a relatively fixed positioned without melting
over and dampening the cooler contents. Moreover, the cooler pack
is refreezable, thus saving the expense of buying ice every time
the cooler is used.
The size of the cooler, according to this invention, can be very
large to separately accommodate food and beverage for numerous
people, or quite small. Presently, industry workers, school
children, and others who typically bring their lunch to work or
school must carry both a thermos container and a lunch box for
their drink and sandwich. This can be awkward and clumsy. Moreover,
the conventional lunch box does not include a means for cooling the
food compartment, nor does the thermos include a means for
continuously chilling the beverage. This invention eliminates the
need for individual containers by providing separate, cooled
compartment areas for both food and beverage within the same,
portable cooler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a combination
food and beverage cooler for separately containing items, such as
canned goods or canned drinks, in a food compartment, and an
otherwise non-contained beverage in a beverage compartment.
It is another object of the invention to provide a combination food
and beverage cooler which includes a partition wall for separating
the food compartment from the beverage compartment.
It is another object of the invention to provide a combination food
and beverage cooler which includes a detachable and refreezable
cooler pack positioned between the food compartment and the
beverage compartment for cooling the respective compartment
areas.
It is another object of the invention to provide a combination food
and beverage cooler which includes a drain/fill opening and
dispenser tap formed in the beverage compartment for
draining/filling or dispensing a beverage.
It is another object of the invention to provide a combination food
and beverage cooler that is portable.
It is another object of the invention to provide a combination food
and beverage cooler which remains relatively balanced when carried
due to the relatively even and uniform distribution of weight
throughout the cooler.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in
the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a
combination food and beverage cooler including a bottom wall, a
plurality of attached side walls, and a top opening defined by the
side walls. The bottom wall and side walls substantially enclose a
compartment area formed therein. A beverage compartment is
positioned in the compartment area and adjacent the bottom wall for
storing an otherwise non-contained beverage. The beverage
compartment is relatively flat and extends over a relatively large
surface area of the compartment area in relation to its volume. A
food compartment in the compartment area stores items such as
canned goods, canned drinks and other solid food items. A cooling
means in the compartment area is positioned between the food
compartment and the beverage compartment for cooling the food
compartment and the beverage compartment. The cooling means extends
over a relatively large surface area of the beverage compartment
and the food compartment.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
combination food and beverage cooler includes a partition wall in
the compartment area. The partition wall is spaced-apart from the
bottom wall and separates the beverage compartment from the food
compartment.
Preferably, the partition wall is substantially normal to each of
the plurality of side walls.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
beverage compartment includes a dispenser formed in and extending
through at least one of the plurality of side walls for dispensing
a beverage contained in the beverage compartment.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
beverage compartment includes a drain/fill plug formed in and
extending through at least one of the plurality of side walls for
draining or filling the beverage compartment.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
dispenser is positioned in and extends through the drain/fill plug.
The drain/fill plug includes internal screw threads for receiving
the dispenser, and the dispenser has a mating threaded portion for
being screwed into the drain/fill plug.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
partition wall includes a recess for receiving the cooling
means.
Preferably, the cooling means includes a detachable and refreezable
cooler pack for placement in the recess of the partition wall.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
food compartment further includes a removable tray insert with an
inverted recess therein for allowing placement of the tray insert
adjacent to the partition wall and over the cooler pack.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
combination food and beverage cooler includes a bottom wall, a
plurality of attached side walls, and a top opening defined by the
side walls. The bottom wall and side walls substantially enclose a
compartment area formed therein. A beverage compartment is
positioned in the compartment area adjacent the bottom wall for
storing an otherwise non-contained beverage. The beverage
compartment is relatively flat and extends over a relatively large
surface area of the compartment area in relation to its volume. A
drain/fill plug and dispenser are formed in and through the
beverage compartment. A food compartment adjacent the beverage
compartment stores items such as canned goods, canned drinks and
other solid food items. A partition wall is spaced-apart from the
bottom wall and integrally formed to each of the plurality of side
walls. The partition wall is positioned between the food
compartment and the beverage compartment, and including a recess
therein for containing a cooling means for cooling the food
compartment and the beverage compartment. The cooling means extends
over a relatively large surface area of the partition wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the
invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination food and beverage
cooler according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cooler according to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing the freely removable elements of
the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the cooler showing the respective
elements in phantom with a portion broken away to illustrate the
location of the tap dispenser.
FIG. 4 is a first end elevation of the cooler shown in FIG. 3, with
a portion broken away to illustrate the positioning of respective
elements contained therein.
FIG. 5 is a second end elevation of the cooler shown in FIG. 3 with
a portion broken away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a combination food and
beverage cooler according to the present invention is illustrated
in FIG. 1 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The cooler
10 includes a removable top cover 11, side walls 12a-d, and a
bottom 13. Each of these elements provides quality insulation for
maintaining a cool area for food and beverage storage within the
cooler 10. The side walls 12a-d and bottom 13 are integrally
formed, and are made of a durable and resilient thermoplastic such
as polyethylene. A handle 14 is pivotally attached to opposing side
walls 12a and 12b. The handle 14 extends up and across the cover 11
when the cooler 10 is being carried by the handle 14. The cover 11
and handle 14 include complementary stud 26 and lip 27 segments,
respectively (See FIG. 3). The lip 27 is formed on the inner
surface of each end of the handle 14, and the stud 26 is centrally
located at corresponding ends of the cover 11. As the handle 14 is
pivoted over the cover 11, the lip 27 moves into a position
directly above and adjacent the stud 26. Thus, the handle 14
secures the cover 11 to the cooler 10 when the cooler 10 is being
carried by the handle 14.
As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the cooler 10 includes two
compartment areas; an upper food compartment 20 and a lower
beverage compartment 21. A partition wall 15 formed within the
cooler 10 separates the food and beverage compartments 20 and 21.
Preferably, the partition wall 15 is normal to and integrally
formed in the inner side of cooler side walls 12a-d. In one
embodiment of the invention, the partition wall 15 is located 2.5
inches from the bottom 13 of the cooler 10. The food compartment 20
is directly above the partition wall 15, and is approximately
equivalent to the area enclosed by a conventional eight-quart
cooler. The beverage compartment 21 is directly beneath the
partition wall 15, and holds approximately 3 liters of beverage
23.
A center recess 25 is formed in the partition wall 15 for carrying
a removable cooler pack 22. The cooler pack 22, according to a
preferred embodiment, is approximately 6.75 inches in length, 1.5
inches wide, and 1.5 inches thick. Preferably, the cooler pack 22
is a self-contained and refreezable ice pack with a plastic
enclosure to prevent leakage. The cooler pack 22 may be snapped in
or otherwise detachably held within the center recess 25 of the
partition wall 15.
As best shown in FIG. 2, the food compartment 20 includes 20 a tray
insert 30 shaped to fit within and adjacent the cooler side walls
12a-d and partition wall 15. The tray insert 30 has an inverted
center recess 35 in its bottom wall 34 essentially corresponding to
the center recess 25 of the partition wall 15. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the center recess 35 of the tray
insert 30 includes small vent holes (not shown) for allowing more
efficient passage of cool air from the cooler pack 22 to the food
compartment 20.
When in place above the partition wall 15, the tray insert 30 and
partition wall 15 enclose and define an area for housing the cooler
pack 22, and by removing the tray insert 30, the cooler pack 22 can
be easily removed and refrozen for later use. The walls 31 of the
tray insert 30 extend to substantially the same height as the side
walls 12 of the cooler 10. Thus, the tray insert 30 and cooler pack
22 are securely held in place within the cooler 10 by the top cover
11. According to another embodiment of the invention, the tray
insert 30 is simply a thin plastic wall (not shown), including the
inverted center recess 35 as described, designed to lock-in over
the partition wall 15 to hold the cooler pack 22 within the recess
25 of the partition wall 15. A lap joint type lock is preferable.
Both the tray insert 30 and partition wall 15 are made of a
relatively thin thermoplastic for allowing cool air produced by the
cooler pack 22 to effectively pass therethrough to cool both the
food items (not shown) and beverage 23 contained in respective
compartment areas of the cooler 10.
The beverage compartment 21, shown in FIGS. 3,4, and 5, is defined
by the area directly beneath the partition wall 15 and above the
cooler bottom 13. A dispensing means, comprising a tap dispenser
16, is positioned in and through side wall 12a (or any other side
wall) of the cooler 10 for dispensing the beverage 23 contained in
the beverage compartment 21. Preferably, the tap dispenser 16 is
substantially recessed in side wall 12a to protect the tap
dispenser 16 from being sheared-off or otherwise damaged due to
normal wear and tear on the cooler 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the tap dispenser 16 has a threaded end 17 for
being screwed into and attached to the side wall 12a. The side wall
12a has a fill port 18 with a complementary internal screw thread
14 for receiving the threaded end 17 of the tap dispenser 16. A
rubber washer 19 acts to seal the attachment of the tap dispenser
16 to the side wall 12a.
The tap dispenser 16, according to one embodiment of the invention,
also serves as a drainfill means for draining or filling the
beverage compartment 21. When the tap dispenser 16 is unscrewed and
removed from the side wall 12a of the cooler 10, the cooler 10 can
be placed on its opposing side wall 12b and a desired beverage 23
can be easily filled into the fill port 18 to the beverage
compartment 21. The tap dispenser 16 can then be replaced in side
wall 12a for sealing the fill port 18. To drain the beverage
compartment 21, the tap dispenser 16 is simply removed and the
cooler 10 is turned to allow the beverage 23 to flow out from the
through-portal 18. It is preferable to drain and fill the beverage
compartment 21 with the cover 11 securely in place atop the cooler
10. This ensures that the cooler pack 22 and the tray insert 30
will remain in place throughout the process.
According to another embodiment of the invention (not shown), a
drain/fill plug is positioned in and through a second side wall
12b, separate and distinct from the tap dispenser 16.
A combination food and beverage cooler is described above. Various
details of the invention may be changed without departing from its
scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the
invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not
for the purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *